Shipping Container Homes & Buildings: Durable 3 Bedrooms 174 sqm Shipping Container Home in a Semi-Rural Area, Whanganui, New Zealand

Location

Containers	5 containers (4x 40 ft + 1x 20 ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	1
Estimated property price	$880,000 (2025)
Area	174 sqm (1,870 sq ft)
Location	Whanganui, New Zealand
Year	2017

Shipping containers, when designed and finished properly with quality insulation and reinforcement, can become striking homes. The property featured here – on the market for the first time – is a prime example.

Situated on 1.78 hectares in Durie Hill, Whanganui, this two-level residence is built from five containers: one 20-foot unit and four 40-foot units, arranged slightly askew to create architectural interest and form an upper-level deck. A smaller, separately positioned but connected container serves as a fourth (unconsented) bedroom.

Bayleys Whanganui listing agent Karen Bukholt says the project, completed in 2017, showcases real creativity. “The owners embraced the containers’ industrial character and produced something truly distinctive – outside the box,” she notes.

The ground floor’s living area combines two interlinked containers, with an open staircase at its heart. The original container structure remains visible throughout; the black ribbed steel exterior becomes a feature of the staircase, contrasted by warm ply veneer wrapping its lower portion. The same ply appears on parts of the ceilings, alternating with exposed black steel panels.

The layout delivers a spacious open-plan living zone, offering two seating areas and a sleek, modern kitchen at one end. Large sliding doors open to a sheltered patio, while the elevated position provides sweeping semi-rural and town views.

Downstairs also includes a bedroom currently set up as an office, plus a bathroom combined with laundry facilities. Upstairs, two more bedrooms – each with its own ensuite – and an additional living space open onto the balcony.

The home is well insulated in both walls and roofs, with thermally broken, double-glazed tinted windows. Climate control is provided by a heat pump and a Metro woodburner, and hot water is heated by gas.

Additional structures on the generous property include a large three-bay shed with an attached studio – ideal for hobbies or a home-based business.

The owners are selling as their family grows and they embark on a new project.

Located at 7 Purua Street, Durie Hill, Whanganui, New Zealand, the property is being offered for sale by deadline, closing October 2, 2025, and currently has a rateable value of $880,000.